31 Things of Halloween in the Twin Cities Gateway: Festive Things to Do Every Day This October

By Lisa Berkas | September 23, 2026

October in the Twin Cities Gateway is unmatched. Home to the Halloween Capital of the World alongside sprawling autumn trails, farm mazes, glowing community pumpkin nights, and horse-drawn hayrides, there are endless ways to celebrate the season.

Whether you are looking for illuminated jack-o’-lantern walks, scenic fall foliage, or world-class parades, here is your definitive day-by-day countdown across our 11 Gateway communities: Anoka, Arden Hills, Blaine, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Mounds View, New Brighton, Ramsey, and Shoreview.

TL;DR

• The Epicenter: Anoka serves as the historic Halloween Capital of the World, hosting a month of festivities including the Light Up the Night Parade (Oct. 17), Big Parade of Little People (Oct. 23), and Grande Day Parade (Oct. 24).

• Signature Pumpkin Nights: Experience thousands of hand-carved, glowing jack-o’-lanterns at Fridley’s Pumpkin Night in the Park (Oct. 17), Rocky’s Pumpkin Patch in Coon Rapids (Oct. 17), and the New Brighton Pumpkin Walk (Oct. 30).

• Family Traditions: Enjoy classic harvest fun with corn mazes at Waldoch Farm in Lino Lakes, pumpkin bobbing at The Rookery (Oct. 9), and horse-drawn hayrides through Bunker Hills with Bunker Park Stable.

• 11 Communities Covered: Tailored exclusively for Anoka, Arden Hills, Blaine, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Mounds View, New Brighton, Ramsey, and Shoreview.

Courtesy of Waldoch Farm

Day 1 (Oct. 1): Get Lost in the Corn Maze at Waldoch Farm (Lino Lakes)

Kick off the month at Joyer Adventure Farm at Waldoch Farm. Pick your first heirloom pumpkins straight from the vine, navigate the corn maze, and grab a bag of warm cider donuts.

Day 2 (Oct. 2): Riverfront Sunset Walk at Manomin Park (Fridley)

Take a peaceful early autumn stroll where Rice Creek meets the Mississippi River. The changing foliage along the river bluffs makes for a scenic October sunset.

Day 3 (Oct. 3): Seasonal Craft Pints & Trivia at 10K Brewing (Anoka)

Head into downtown Anoka to sample fall tap releases. Settle in for seasonal pours, trivia, or live weekend acoustic music just steps from the Rum River.

Day 4 (Oct. 4): Great Pumpkin Expo (Anoka)

Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026 (11:00 AM – 3:00 PM)

Visit Anoka City Hall to marvel at massive state-grown giant pumpkins, creative hand-crafted scarecrows, and early festival displays.

Day 5 (Oct. 5): Autumn Disc Golf at Ham Lake Park (Ham Lake)

Throw a round of disc golf under towering pines and hardwoods at Ham Lake Park before grabbing a bite nearby.

Day 6 (Oct. 6): Golden Hour Trails at Island Lake County Park (Shoreview)

Shoreview’s paved trail network around Island Lake is one of the prettiest spots in the north metro to catch peak autumn reflections on the water.

Day 7 (Oct. 7): Hunt for Vintage Decor & Costumes in Downtown Anoka (Anoka)

Browse the antique stores, specialty gift boutiques, and thrift shops lining Main Street. It is the premier destination for finding authentic vintage Halloween memorabilia and distinctive costume accents.

Day 8 (Oct. 8): Lakeside Coffee & Trail Walk at Long Lake Regional Park (New Brighton)

Pick up a warm spiced chai or latte and walk the wooded paths around Long Lake, taking in the crisp air and fall waterfowl migrations.

Day 9 (Oct. 9): Bobbing for Pumpkins at The Rookery Activity Center (Lino Lakes)

Date: Friday, October 9, 2026

Dive into a quirky Halloween tradition at The Rookery’s indoor pool, where kids can splash in and retrieve their very own floating pumpkin to decorate.

Springbrook Nature Center

Day 10 (Oct. 10): Autumn Wetland Boardwalks at Springbrook Nature Center (Fridley)

Wander through oak savannas and floating marsh boardwalks. Springbrook is a serene nature escape that turns brilliant shades of gold by mid-month.

Day 11 (Oct. 11): Community Pumpkin Carving Days at Springbrook (Fridley)

Dates: October 11 – 15, 2026

Lend a hand scooping and carving pumpkins at the Springbrook Nature Center picnic shelter as volunteers prep more than 1,000 jack-o’-lanterns for the big lighted event.

Day 12 (Oct. 12): Anoka Halloween Bingo Night (Anoka)

Date: Monday, October 12, 2026 (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)

Head over to American Legion Post 102 in Anoka. Costumes are encouraged for this lively, family-friendly evening of community bingo.

Day 13 (Oct. 13): Foliage Hike Along the Rum River (Ramsey)

Head out to Central Park or the scenic trails flanking the Rum River in Ramsey. The dense canopy along the river corridor delivers some of the brightest crimson and copper leaves in the Gateway.

Day 14 (Oct. 14): Family Mini-Golf & Fun Center Games (Blaine)

Hit the outdoor mini-golf greens or indoor entertainment centers in Blaine for friendly family competition before winter sets in.

Day 15 (Oct. 15): Historic Ghost Tours of Downtown Anoka (Anoka)

Uncover the eerie folklore of the Halloween Capital. Take an evening walking tour with local historians to hear about the spirits and historic oddities of downtown Anoka.

Day 16 (Oct. 16): Plan a Spooky Double-Feature Night (Mounds View)

Pick up fresh cider, seasonal bakery sweets, and gourmet kettle corn in Mounds View, then settle into the couch for your favorite Halloween movie marathon.

Day 17 (Oct. 17): Rocky’s Pumpkin Patch (Coon Rapids)

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026 (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)

Bring the family to Sand Creek Athletic Complex for Coon Rapids’ annual celebration featuring inflatables, trick-or-treat stations, and a patch where children pick their own pumpkin.

Day 18 (Oct. 18): Pumpkin Night in the Park at Springbrook Nature Center (Fridley)

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026 (5:00 PM – 9:00 PM) (Note: Rain date or continued weekend festivities follow on Oct. 18)

Stroll enchanted trails illuminated by over 1,000 glowing hand-carved pumpkins, accompanied by costumed characters, fire pits, and food trucks.

Day 19 (Oct. 19): Anoka Halloween Light Up the Night Parade (Anoka)

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026 (7:00 PM – 8:00 PM)

Line Main Street in downtown Anoka after dark to watch brilliantly illuminated floats, marching bands, and costumed performers light up the evening sky, followed by a community bonfire.

Day 20 (Oct. 20): Fall Birdwatching in the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes (Lino Lakes)

Pack a pair of binoculars and explore the expansive wetlands and hardwood trails in Lino Lakes to spot migrating waterfowl and raptors.

Day 21 (Oct. 21): Horse-Drawn Hayrides at Bunker Park Stable (Coon Rapids)

Bundle up in warm blankets and take a horse-drawn hayride through the oak groves and rolling prairies of Bunker Hills Regional Park. Perfect for families, couples, or group gatherings.

Day 22 (Oct. 22): Sunset Walk at Tony Schmidt Regional Park (Arden Hills)

Stroll the wooded shoreline trails around Lake Johanna in Arden Hills for peaceful sunset views over the water.

Day 23 (Oct. 23): Scarecrow Crawl at The Rookery (Lino Lakes)

Dates: October 22 – 30, 2026

Take a daytime family stroll around The Rookery Activity Center to view creative, quirky scarecrows crafted by local businesses, organizations, and community members.

Day 24 (Oct. 24): Anoka Halloween Big Parade of Little People (Anoka)

Date: Friday, October 23, 2026 (1:15 PM – 2:15 PM)

An Anoka tradition since the 1920s: thousands of local elementary and preschool children march through downtown in full costume during this heartwarming afternoon parade.

Day 25 (Oct. 25): Explore the Anoka County Historical Society Hall of Fame (Anoka)

Learn how Anoka became the world’s first city to organize an official community-wide Halloween celebration in 1920 to curb pranks and bring neighbors together.

Day 26 (Oct. 26): Hike the Prairie Trails at Bunker Hills (Coon Rapids)

Bunker Hills Regional Park features miles of undulating prairie and savanna trails that turn rich amber and bronze in late October.

Day 27 (Oct. 27): Neighborhood Halloween Yard Light Tours (Ham Lake / Mounds View)

Take an evening drive through local neighborhoods to admire towering skeletons, creative animatronics, and synchronized light displays.

Day 28 (Oct. 28): Anoka Halloween House Decorating Viewing Tour (Anoka)

Dates: October 23 – 24, 2026 (and through late October)

Drive through Anoka to check out residential contest participants going all out with spooky graveyard scenes and massive lighting setups.

Day 29 (Oct. 29): Harvest Comfort Dining (Arden Hills / Ramsey)

Warm up on a brisk autumn evening with hearty seasonal fare—think smoked meats, loaded flatbreads, and butternut squash soups—at a local Gateway tavern.

Day 30 (Oct. 30): New Brighton Pumpkin Walk at Veterans Park (New Brighton)

Date: Friday, October 30, 2026 (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM)

Bundle up for New Brighton’s annual glowing evening walk. Stroll trails lined with lit jack-o’-lanterns, enjoy a DJ glow dance party, and let kids collect treats in costume.

Day 31 (Oct. 31): Gray Ghost 5K, Grande Day Parade & Trick-or-Treating (Anoka & All Gateway Communities)

Grande Day Parade & 5K: Saturday, October 24, 2026 (Parade at 1:00 PM, 5K at 12:45 PM)

Halloween Night: Saturday, October 31, 2026

Cap off the month by running the Gray Ghost 5K, marveling at the colossal Anoka Grande Day Parade floats, and welcoming trick-or-treaters across the neighborhoods of the Twin Cities Gateway!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is Anoka known as the Halloween Capital of the World?

In 1920, Anoka civic leaders organized a community-wide costume parade, bonfire, and giveaway to channel teenage pranksters into constructive fun. It is believed to be the first city in the United States to stage an official citywide Halloween celebration, earning it congressional recognition and international fame.

Are these Halloween events family-friendly?

Yes. The vast majority of events—including the Anoka parades, Fridley’s Pumpkin Night in the Park, Rocky’s Pumpkin Patch in Coon Rapids, and New Brighton’s Pumpkin Walk—are specifically designed for families and children of all ages.

Do I need advance tickets for the pumpkin night walks and farm activities?

Yes, for certain events. While parades and city park walks like New Brighton’s Pumpkin Walk are often free and open to the public, attractions like Fridley’s Pumpkin Night in the Park and Waldoch Farm’s Joyer Adventure Farm strongly recommend purchasing timed admission tickets online in advance to guarantee entry.

Where can I book horse-drawn hayrides?

Hayrides are hosted at Bunker Park Stable, located within Bunker Hills Regional Park in Coon Rapids. Reservations should be made directly through the stables in advance, especially for peak weekend times in October.